2026 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy & religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in philosophy & religious studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $11,691. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $12,678. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $30,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for philosophy & religious studies. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $43,311 early in their careers. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $33,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $27,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Hunter College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $10,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #7 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Princeton University came in at #8 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #9 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,164 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $35,608. That is a strong return on a $20,164 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Salisbury University placed #10 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $45,476. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Elyon College earned the #11 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Elyon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $14,620 in tuition and fees.
Towson University earned the #12 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,697 in student loans. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Set against $25,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Swarthmore College came in at #13 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $19,500. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $66,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Suny At Albany ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $44,736. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Bais Medrash Toras Chesed came in at #15 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Bais Medrash Toras Chesed is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,100. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #16 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $20,062 in student loans. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $52,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Ner Israel Rabbinical College earned the #17 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, Ner Israel Rabbinical College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,600. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,330 ten years after entry. Ner Israel Rabbinical College admits about 66% of applicants.
Elim Bible Institute And College earned the #18 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, Elim Bible Institute And College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,678. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $11,998. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $18,339. Elim Bible Institute And College admits about 100% of applicants.
Yeshiva Toras Chaim ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Yeshiva Toras Chaim is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,526 ten years after entry. Yeshiva Toras Chaim admits about 44% of applicants.
Yeshivath Viznitz ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. Yeshivath Viznitz is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Monsey. In-state tuition and fees average $12,000. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Yeshivath Viznitz earn a median of $13,078 early in their careers.
Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel earned the #21 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Set in the city of Monroe, Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,500. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Uta Mesivta Of Kiryas Joel generally make around $22,543.
Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary came in at #22 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the rural area of Ossining, Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,200. Median earnings reach $36,442 ten years out.
Seminary Bnos Chaim came in at #23 for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Seminary Bnos Chaim is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $13,150. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Seminary Bnos Chaim generally make around $29,430. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov placed #24 among the best values for philosophy & religious studies. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,200. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Talmudical Seminary Of Bobov earn a median of $17,618 early in their careers. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary landed the #25 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spring Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,300. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Beer Yaakov Talmudic Seminary generally make around $11,674.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s philosophy & religious studies value ranking:
Narrow Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 293 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
